Retractable strap for laptop computers

ABSTRACT

A retractable strap for a laptop computer and/or computer case is presented. The retractable strap has connectors on both ends of the retractable strap. The connectors at the ends of the retractable strap connect to the laptop or to the laptop or computer case. The retractable strap further has a coil for winding and unwinding, via a button, of the retractable strap. The coil is contained in a container, which is generally rectangular. The container is customizable in color, pattern, logo, images, etc., as is the retractable strap. The retractable strap may also have a padding which is useful for a user to avoid the stress and strain that may be caused by the retractable strap when using for long periods of time.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to straps for carrying laptop computers. More particularly, it relates to straps for carrying laptop computers that are retractable.

BACKGROUND

Smart phones, tablet computers and notebook computers supporting 3G communication are some of the most popular modern information products because they are highly mobile and can be conveniently used almost everywhere.

A 3G phone supporting web-browsing functions is typically compact in volume and light in weight, so a user can easily hold it with one hand and operate it with the other hand. In addition, since its screen is limited in area, there is generally no need to operate it with the user's both hands.

On the other hand, when using a tablet computer, a user has to hold the computer in one hand with or without additional support such as that obtained by resting the hand on an external object or one of the user's legs, and operate the computer with the other hand.

Since such a computer is relatively large and heavy, holding it in a single hand brings about the risk of unstableness, and tends to cause a tired arm and/or carpal tunnel syndrome. Also, holding an operating computer in hand is averse to heat dissipation of the computer. Moreover, the tablet computer can be easily dropped from the hand and break.

A notebook computer is even larger and heavier as compared with the foregoing two mobile devices, and is usually put on a desk or a user's laps for use. This has the disadvantages including making the computer unstable, causing inconvenience in terms of typing, hurting the user's visual health, hindering heat dissipation of the computer, tending to burn the user's skin, and risking the computer from accidental drop.

In general, when using tablet/notebook computers, users who are not sitting before desks can either stand or lean with the computers held in hand or sit with the computers put on laps. Each of the positions can endanger the tablet/notebook computer with the foregoing risks.

However, there is not an auxiliary device for working with a tablet computer or a notebook computer, so it would be desirable to create a functional auxiliary device that brings convenience to all users of tablet/notebook computers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of an exemplary retractable strap for a laptop.

FIG. 2 is the exemplary retractable strap of FIG. 1 in a first position.

FIG. 3 is the exemplary retractable strap of FIG. 2 in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. All terms in the plural shall also be taken as singular and vice-versa. Further, any reference to he shall also be applicable to she and vice-versa.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary retractable strap 100 for a laptop computer. The retractable strap 100 is useful when those cases arise that a person is in a hurry or has their hands full. The person needs to get their laptop together in a hurry.

The retractable strap 100 may be customizable. The customization may include colors, patterns, logos, images, etc. The retractable strap 100 may also include other outer shell couplings for additional quick customization.

The retractable strap 100 has a first end 101 and a second end 102. The first end 101 has a connector 103 and the second end 102 has a connector 104. The connector 103, 104 can be any type of connector such as alligator connector, u-shape connector, clip on connector, etc. The connector 103, 104 can be made of any material this is strong and durable, such as hard plastic, metal, aluminum, etc.

The retractable strap 100 further has a coil 105. The coil 105 is shown as a circular structure but may be rectangular, etc. The coil 105 is useful in wrapping the retractable strap 100 into a tight circle and shortening the length available to a user. Or, the coil 105 can release the retractable strap 100 thus elongating the retractable strap 100 and allowing the laptop and/or laptop case to hand or extend further from the body of the user.

The coil 105 has a button 110. The button 110 is useful in allowing the user to press the button 110 to retract the retractable strap 100 into the coil 105. The pressing of the button 110 may indicate to the coil 105 to turn in such a direction as to take in the retractable strap 100 and wind it around the coil's 105 center.

The button 110 may also be useful in extending the retractable strap 100 from the coil 105 by indicating to the coil 105 to turn in a direction that allows the retractable strap 100 to unwind from the coil 105.

The coil 105 is contained within an outer container 107. The outer container 107 can be any shape such as rectangular, circular, etc. The outer container 107 must be larger than the coil structure 106.

The outer container 107 is removable and interchangeable to allow the user to express different moods, thoughts, likes, desires, etc. The outer container 108 is also customizable such as different colors, patterns, logos, images, etc.

The retractable strap 100 may also have a padding 108. The padding 108 may be useful to prevent the user from having the retractable strap from becoming uncomfortable. The padding 108 may be any material such as leather, faux leather, cloth, etc. The padding 108 may further contain a filling. The filling may be cotton, down feathers, Styrofoam, memory foam, etc.

Moving now to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the exemplary retractable strap 100 is shown in two different configurations and uses. The retractable strap 100 is long, in FIG. 2, as the button 110 has been activated and the coil 105 unwinds to allow the retractable strap 100 to become longer outside of the coil 105. The connectors 103,104 are coupled to the laptop/laptop case 200.

The user has its kids come up in a hurry as an emergency occurs. The user then presses the button 110 on the coil 105. The coil 105 winds the retractable strap 100 into the coil 105 and shortens the useful length of the retractable strap 100 for the user. The user then does not have the worry of the retractable strap 100 from be caught on an object or for the user's children to play with the strap and hurt themselves.

The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments or combined with or interchanged with the features of other embodiments, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A retractable strap for a laptop computer, said retractable strap comprising; a first end having a connector; a second end having a connector; a coil, said coil located between said first end and said second end of said retractable strap and configured to turn; an outer container, said outer container located between said first end and said second end of said retractable strap and configured to house said coil; and a button, said button located on said coil and configured to retract said retractable strap into said coil.
 2. The retractable strap of claim 1, wherein said first end connector and said second end connector are u-shaped connectors.
 3. The retractable strap of claim 1, wherein said first end connector and said second end connector are clip-on connectors.
 4. The retractable strap of claim 1, wherein said first end connector and said second end connector are made of a material that is strong and durable.
 5. The retractable strap of claim 4, wherein said material is selected from the group comprising hard plastic, metal, and aluminum.
 6. The retractable strap of claim 1, wherein said outer container is circular in shape.
 7. The retractable strap of claim 1, wherein said outer container is rectangular in shape.
 8. The retractable strap of claim 1, wherein said coil is configured to wrap said rectangular strap into a tight circle and shorten a length of said rectangular strap.
 9. The retractable strap of claim 1, wherein said coil is configured to release said retractable strap so that said retractable strap elongates.
 10. The retractable strap of claim 1, wherein said button is configured to allow a user to retract said retractable strap into said coil upon pressing said button.
 10. The retractable strap of claim 1, wherein said coil turns in a direction as to take in said retractable strap and wind it around said coil's center.
 11. The retractable strap of claim 1, wherein said coil turns in a direction that allows said retractable strap to unwind from said coil.
 12. The retractable strap of claim 1, wherein said outer container has a rectangular shape.
 13. The retractable strap of claim 1, wherein said outer container has a circular shape.
 14. The retractable strap of claim 1, wherein said outer container is removable.
 15. The retractable strap of claim 1, wherein said outer container is interchangeable.
 16. The retractable strap of claim 1, wherein said retractable strap further comprises a padding configured to provide comfort.
 17. The retractable strap of claim 17, wherein said padding is made of a material selected from the group comprising leather, faux leather, and cloth.
 18. The retractable strap of claim 17, wherein said padding further has a filling.
 19. The retractable strap of claim 19, wherein said filling is selected from the group comprising cotton, down feathers, and memory foam. 